14 February 2026F1i.comCommentaryRace report
Lucas di Grassi calls F1’s 2026 hybrid era ‘extremely badly designed’
Former Formula E champion Lucas di Grassi says the FIA’s 2026 hybrid rules are poorly conceived, slowing F1 cars and making them less raceable. He warns that Formula E’s Gen 4 cars could soon out‑pace F1.
Lucas di Grassi, the 2016‑17 Formula E champion and former Virgin Racing F1 driver, called the FIA’s 2026 hybrid regulations “extremely badly designed.” He says the new rules have stripped F1 cars of raw speed and raceability, and warns that the upcoming Formula E Gen 4 machines could soon out‑pace the sport’s flagship cars. His comments echo concerns voiced by current F1 drivers, including Max Verstappen, who likened the new era to “Formula E on steroids.”
Why it matters:
- F1’s brand hinges on high‑speed spectacle; a slowdown could erode fan interest.
- The hybrid formula drives massive R&D spend; mis‑aligned rules risk wasted investment.
The details:
- Di Grassi: “The hybrid rules are extremely badly designed” and “make the car very slow and not raceable.”
- Drivers report “weird” rule‑induced issues in simulators, especially on certain circuits.
- Verstappen has publicly called the 2026 cars “Formula E on steroids,” highlighting driver frustration.
- Di Grassi predicts Formula E Gen 4 will be 2‑5 seconds quicker than F1 at Monaco within a few years.
What's next:
- The FIA faces pressure to revisit the 2026 rulebook before the 2027 season.
- Formula E continues to develop Gen 4.5 and Gen 5 powertrains targeting >800 bhp.